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Posted on 08/18/2025 3:36:09 PM PDT by nickcarraway
On 19 August 1960, 65 years ago this week, a court in Moscow handed a US pilot, Francis Gary Powers, a 10-year sentence after he was apprehended by Soviet security forces. The BBC reported on what became a Cold War diplomatic disaster.
Francis Gary Powers was on a CIA spying mission over Soviet Russia when his U-2 plane was hit by a surface-to-air missile. "I looked up, looked out, and just everything was orange, everywhere," Powers recalled. "I don't know whether it was the reflection in the canopy itself or just the whole sky. And I can remember saying to myself, 'By God, I've had it now.'"
In fact, Powers managed to parachute to safety, but his troubles were far from over. Having been arrested and interrogated by the KGB, he was put on trial in Moscow, where his family could only watch helplessly. "He said that he knew that we were present at his trial," his wife Barbara Powers told the BBC. "He didn't know beforehand. But he saw me wave. And he said he just couldn't bear to look towards the box where we were all sitting, because it upset him too much, and he knew it would upset us." On 19 August 1960, 65 years ago this week, Powers was sentenced to 10 years – three in a Russian prison and seven in a labour camp. His capture and trial would have a devastating impact on East-West relations at the height of the Cold War.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
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The military believed the Russkies could never hit the U-2, AND, if they did, that Powers would never survive.
They all about soiled their pants when Powers appeared on Russian TV. Surprise!
It was disgraceful the way Powers was treated when he returned. Basically driven out of military flying, and died piloting a TV helicopter in Los Angeles. The CIA was angry that he didn’t commit suicide!
Same with Bud Mahurin...they hounded him out of the service.
Some of our bravest men were utterly thrown away like garbage.
Was he instructed to commit suicide?
Some of our bravest men were utterly thrown away [by the CIA] garbage.
I have his book “Operation Overflight”
I think he was a hero who has never, and will never, receive the honor he deserves.
At least they covered up the fact his wife was drinking and having affairs while he was out there. Imagine if that got out.
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